Handcare: Not Just A Winter Thing!

Take a moment to consider just how much you use (and possibly abuse) your hands during the course of a day and I bet you'll immediately realize the importance of proper handcare!


You see, hands are among those body parts that are most exposed, and not just to weather conditions: they come in contact with water, sanitizers and detergents (all of which can have a drying effect), we use them as tools (often along with our fingernails) and they're always visible to other people (who may or may not be trying to guess your... age by them). Plus, you cannot expect to do your fresh manicure justice when your hands are in dire condition, can you?

If that long-a** introduction teaches us anything, is that I'm an avid handcare fanatic (I couldn't afford not to be thanks to my dry skin), with several hand creams at an arms reach at any given moment! Here's what I'm currently using:

1. Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream. This was a beauty subscription box offering from a while back, one that admittedly hasn't wowed me: it's supposed to be "not greasy", yet that's the only subjective that could describe the slippery, silicone-y feel I get after I've applied it. To be fair, it is a very moisturizing hand cream and its scent is pleasant, however I hate having to wait for it to absorb and not be able to use my hands straight away.

2. Human+Kind Hand+Elbow+Foot Cream. Despite the occasional dud, beauty subscription boxes may come with pleasant surprises too, which is exactly the case with this product by Human+Kind, a natural brand I had never even heard of before. This hand cream is super lightweight and sinks in almost immediately, while leaving your hands silky smooth. It promotes a cooling sensation as well, and the scent is fresh and minty. Props for the formula that also caters to sensitive skins: in it you'll find avocado oil, cocoa seed butter, shea butter, rosehip oil, calendula, vitamin E and aloe vera. That said, if you're looking for a very rich hand cream to provide ample and long-lasting hydration for some really cracked skin, this probably won't be your best bet.

3. Fresh Line (Fresh Beauty Bar) Vanilla Hand Cream*. I've already mentioned this in a previous post, and I have grown to love it even more since then! For starters, I'm addicted to its delicious vanilla scent! I also love that it keeps my hands well moisturized without any greasiness, even when I first rub it in. The texture of this one is noticeably thicker than other hand creams, meaning your skin will feel buttery soft for longer than usual. Perhaps this needs a more practical re-packaging for handbag carrying purposes, but that's probably it's only flaw.

4. Pai Sea Buckthorne Cuticle Balm. My relationship with this little pot is still going strong, and with good reason: it can transform any cuticle area after just a couple of uses! This is my first time using a cuticle balm, but it definitely won't be my last: I only hope that Pai will make this a separate permanent product come replacing time! ;)

Other hand creams that I recommend would be the ones from The Body Shop (love the almond one), as well as those formulated with a hefty percentage of shea butter, such as Pre De Provence and L'Occitane.

*PR Sample.

What are some of your handcare favorites?

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